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1996 Chevrolet Cavalier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cavalier years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 140.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 56 of 503 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

58 crash reports10 fire reports44 injury reports

What owners actually said

503 reports
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

CHILD SAFETY LOCK WILL NOT UNDO ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. MECHANIC COULD NOT REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068233

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2004
Electrical System

THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND CAR WOULDNT START. TRIED TO START SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. DISCONNECTED /RECONNECTED BATTERY ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN WITH NO SUCCESS. TRIED TO START AGAIN SEVERAL HOURS LATER AND CAR STARTED JUST FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED.NOTHIN…

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THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND CAR WOULDNT START. TRIED TO START SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. DISCONNECTED /RECONNECTED BATTERY ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN WITH NO SUCCESS. TRIED TO START AGAIN SEVERAL HOURS LATER AND CAR STARTED JUST FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED.NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY SEEMED WRONG CAR DROVE JUST FINE. THERE IS NO LINK BETWEEN THIS HAPPENING WETHER WE JUST DROVE IT OR IT SAT ALL NIGHT IT HAS OCCURED EITHER WAY. WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM A DEALER AND WAS NEVER AWARE OF ANY THEFT SYSTEM AT ALL. AS FAR AS WE KNOW THERE ISNT ONE IN THIS VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067894

134,000 miles · Apr 22, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

134,000 MILES ON CHEVROLET CAVALIER, STALLED ON ROAD-TIMING CHAIN BROKEN BUT THIS IS A SECONDARY PROBLEM TO LOSS OF COMPRESSION. PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS?. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067638

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2004
Power Train

WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068661

68,000 miles · Apr 8, 2004
Exterior Lighting

HEAD LAMP WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10066842

160,000 miles · Mar 27, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL INJECTORS GET CRACKS AND LEAK, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF NOT CHANGED. I HAVE HAD ALL 4 INJECTORS LEAK, AND 2 HAD HAIRLINE CRACKS ALLOWING LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS TO LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE WHICH COULD EASILY START A FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10064029

61,210 miles · Jan 16, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

GUESS WHAT, HERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE GM. (ANOTHER COMPLAINT)WE'VE ALREADY SPENT NEARLY A $1,000, ON THIS CAR. NOW, TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN, THE HAD SPENT A HOUR AND A HALF LOOKING FOR NOW WHAT IS THE FUEL PUMP THAT HAD GONE BAD. I UNDERSTAND THAT PARTS IN A VEHICLE HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED. SO WHEN WE FOUND…

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GUESS WHAT, HERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE GM. (ANOTHER COMPLAINT)WE'VE ALREADY SPENT NEARLY A $1,000, ON THIS CAR. NOW, TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN, THE HAD SPENT A HOUR AND A HALF LOOKING FOR NOW WHAT IS THE FUEL PUMP THAT HAD GONE BAD. I UNDERSTAND THAT PARTS IN A VEHICLE HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED. SO WHEN WE FOUND THIS OUT , WE REALLY ENJOYED YOUR COMPANY'S "MONEY MAKING" SCHEME TO HAVE THE CAVALIERS, NEW FUEL PUMP COST AROUND $500. WITH A 1 YEAR WARRANTY, OTHER MANUFACTURE HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTIES, WHICH WE WILL BE REPLACING WITH. ( CARTER, OR MASTER). NOT INCLUDING THE LABOR AND A CUSTOMER CANNOT JUST REPLACE THIS PUMP SEPARATELY, NO YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE MODULE TOGETHER WITH THE FUEL PUMP!!! USUALLY, IT WOULD COST AROUND $80.00-$100.00, FOR A FUEL PUMP. THANKS GM, HOPE YOU MAKE YOUR MONEY. BECAUSE, I WILL BUY FOREIGN AND "WORD OF MOUTH", IS LOUDER. MEL *CB

NHTSA ODI #10054318

142,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

JULY 2002 MANUAL TRANSAXLE LEAK- REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT SEALS; MARCH 2003, LEFT SEAL REPLACED; OCTOBER 2003 RIGHT SEAL REPLACED. OCTOBER 2003, LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING UP HILLS IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR AND SOMETIMES ON FLATS- SAME GEARS. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK AND THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN…

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JULY 2002 MANUAL TRANSAXLE LEAK- REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT SEALS; MARCH 2003, LEFT SEAL REPLACED; OCTOBER 2003 RIGHT SEAL REPLACED. OCTOBER 2003, LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING UP HILLS IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR AND SOMETIMES ON FLATS- SAME GEARS. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK AND THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN, MEANWHILE I TOOK IT IN FOR THE LEAKING TRANSAXLE- I CAN'T WIN.

NHTSA ODI #10070972

63,871 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MOTOR STOPS RUNNING AND I LOST ALL POWER BOTH STEERING AND ELECTRICAL. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAITED 2 MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP IT WAS FINE. ONLY DID THIS 2 TIMES WITHIN A WEEK PERIOD. ENGINE IDLE ROUGH SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1998. TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. …

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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MOTOR STOPS RUNNING AND I LOST ALL POWER BOTH STEERING AND ELECTRICAL. GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAITED 2 MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP IT WAS FINE. ONLY DID THIS 2 TIMES WITHIN A WEEK PERIOD. ENGINE IDLE ROUGH SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1998. TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. CAME BACK SEVERAL TIMES THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID THAY COULD DO NOTHING THATS JUST HOW THEY RUN. MOTOR SURGES AND LAGS AFTER START UP. REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. PUSH PEDAL MOTOR BOGS DOWN AND THEN IT WILL TAKE OFF. REPLACED ALMOST EVERY SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. BATTERY TOOK A DUMP AT ALMOST 4 YEARS. ENGINE SPUN #3 AND #4 BEARINGS ON A COLD START UP. THEY ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED A WATER PUMP AT THE SAME TIME.PASS POWER WINDOW WAS ALWAYS SLOW. REPLACED APPROX MID 2002 REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS LUMBER IN THE TRUNK. WHEEL STUDS SNAP EASILY AS I HAVE REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 10. REAR BRAKES DRAG AND GRAB EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT. FRONT BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY. RUBBER MUFFLER HANGER WEARS OUT. REPLACED 2 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10069950

61,204 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Electrical System

HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING, PLACED OTHER COMPLAINTS RECENTLY. STEERING LOCKING UP AND FIXED MORE PART IN VECHILE, NOW MIGHT BE RELATING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, WHICH MY MECHANIC HAS FOUND WAS INPROPERLLY PLACED IN CAR. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SINCE IT HAS BEEN OVER 1 YEAR AND 12,000 MILES, THEY WILL CHARGE ME A LAB…

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HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING, PLACED OTHER COMPLAINTS RECENTLY. STEERING LOCKING UP AND FIXED MORE PART IN VECHILE, NOW MIGHT BE RELATING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, WHICH MY MECHANIC HAS FOUND WAS INPROPERLLY PLACED IN CAR. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SINCE IT HAS BEEN OVER 1 YEAR AND 12,000 MILES, THEY WILL CHARGE ME A LABOR FEE AND ALSO THE PART FEE. COULD THIS BECOME ANY WORSE GM??????

NHTSA ODI #10053076

Official recalls

7

02V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion

Nov 4, 2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

02V070000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Mar 6, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

98V319000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 15, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.

98V146000 · Air Bags

Jun 29, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.

98V027000 · Interior Lighting

Feb 17, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

96V250000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

Dec 17, 1996

THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.

95V201000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 23, 1995

THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

DP03007 · Unintended Vehicle Acceleration

Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:delivery

ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. FRIEDMAN CITED A REPORT HE RECEIVED FOR GM SHOWING IT HAD RECEIVED FAR MORE REPORTS OF ALLEGED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THESE MODELS THAN FOR OTHERS.AFTER ASSESSING THE DATA CLAIMED BY THE PETITIONER TO JUSTIFY HIS REQUEST, ODI FOUND NO INDICATION THAT DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS EXISTS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. FRIEDMAN'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ANALYSIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.

PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area

Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

No summary supplied.

EA98001 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments

Opened Jan 23, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

There is no summary currently available

PE97041 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments

Opened Sep 9, 1997 · Closed Jan 23, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

There is no summary currently available